Some people see me knocking people out and think I’m a very manly character.

But I’ve been checked, so hopefully they will think it’s okay for them to be looked over too. There’s nothing dodgy about it in any way, shape or form – and it could save your life.

I’ve also battled depression early in my career and struggled to cope during the last three years away from the ring.

David Haye and Tony Bellew (Image: AFP)

I have found myself locked away in my room, turning my phone off and just lying there for some reason.

I thought my life was in turmoil, but then I realised it was a chemical imbalance in my brain.

It’s not something you can automatically fix. When you’re training you go to the gym in the dark, you leave in the dark.

You push your body to the limit and it really gets on top of you.

You forget why you’re fighting – I can be world champion but what’s the point? I’m so bored, so sad, so alone – my friends are out but I’m sitting here, waiting to get up at 5.30 in the morning to start again.

David Haye training in the ring (Image: REUTERS)

Multiply that by three years and it really grinds you down. You hear about athletes getting depression and I can see why.

Mine was mild and I could treat it by myself and pick myself up again. But some people aren’t that lucky.

Social media doesn’t help. In fact it has led some young athletes to despair as they try to build their careers.

They get home from training, look at social media and find that they have thousands of people ripping it out of them, telling them that they’re terrible, hoping they will lose.

That, on top of how they are feeling already, can really tip things over. I’ve spoken to athletes who are so down they don’t even do social media any more.

David Haye is urging men to be tested for prostate cancer (Image: Getty Images Europe)

In the 21st century we live in a world where everyone can have their say.

People are at the mercy of internet trolls who make it their second job to bring those who are excellent in their fields down to their level.

These keyboard warriors are merely diminishing someone else’s flame to make their own brighter.

I’ve been thinking about what comes next – my next bout could be my last.

David Haye (Image: PA)

I don’t believe the David Haye legacy should finish with a loss. I want to get out at the top of the game.

One of my favourite fighters was Lennox Lewis, who got out at number one.

A fight with Tyson Fury or the winner of the Wladimir Klitschko-Anthony Joshua fight would put me at number one.

I want to be universally recognised as first place, and then I can hang the gloves back up in peace.